Help with import fees

HarryW1

I have recently bought a large collection of leatherbound books from America. The value is 2200 USD + 500 USD shipping. The information out there has been very conflicting. Some places say that there is no VAT or import fees on books, but there is no mention of leatherbound books and if this changes the fees. They are being delivered by UPS (not USPS) and I'm also wondering if they charge any brokerage fees. I've been informed by HMRC that import fees are calculated by value and not size/weight of shipments as the shipment weighs over 100 kgs. 

Is anybody able to provide clarity on the potential import/VAT/UPS fees I could face for this purchase? 

Thank you!

LadyDee

pay-no-import-duties-and-vat-on-miscellaneous-documents-and-related-articles
I think you will have to pay the duty/VAT & customs clearance by UPS then claim refund of the duty & VAT (dependent on category).  Customs will be able to say if leather is a problem - if they are old books there might be mites & things which will need fumigating before clearance (with maybe additional cost).
These are the types of things that should investigated before purchase!

Sandtree

If there is no mention then it is likely there is no differentiation. If you were to buy leather book covers (as a discrete product with no book currently inside) then there is a separate code for those 

Are these new or secondhand? Are they printed books (ie a novel or encyclopaedia) or blank notebooks? Shipping seems very high (though that's by the by and US often charge silly international shipping costs). 

visidigi

HarryW1 said:

Is anybody able to provide clarity on the potential import/VAT/UPS fees I could face for this purchase? 

https://www.ups.com/gb/en/shipping/zones-and-rates/additional.page Brokerage Services - Import
Entry Fee Always Contact on Customer Request	£11.25 £2.80 per shipment
Duty and Tax Forwarding Charge	£14.90 per shipment
Additional Tariff Lines/Complex Entries	£5.15 per additional tariff line, over 5 lines.
Bonded Transfer UPS Guarantee	£28.00 per shipment
Bonded Transfer Handling Fee	£12.30 per transit shipment
Warehouse Storage (after 3 working days)	£13.00 (per package/per day)
Post Entry Clearance Services	£59.50 per shipment
Disbursements	£11.50 minimum or 2.5% of the advanced amount, whichever is greater.
Non Routine Formal Entry	£23.00 per shipment
Other Government Agency (OGA) Entry	£11.25 per shipment
Additional General Services	£22.50 per shipment